Islamabad,
May4, 2020:PTCL Group, one of the country’s largest
telecom groups and backbone of connectivity in Pakistan, is undertaking a
comprehensive Coronavirus relief and supporteffort worth PKR 1.9 Billion. The
package aims to help people across the country tostay connected and it will
also provide access to facilities,mainly food and healthcare, to the most
vulnerable communities.

The Group’s foremost priority is to keep
Pakistan connected in this time of crisis, whether it be individuals,
organizations or government institutions being able to work seamlessly. PTCL
Group including Ufone, U Microfinance Bank and PTCL have undertaken numerous
measures to provide support to the people in these unprecedented times. A major
portion of this package will go towards providing subsidized and free of cost
services to customers, so that they are able to stay connected virtually.

PTCL and Ufone have provided support to the
people on their products and services in the shape of free offers and heavy
discounts to minimise the burden on their pocket. They can remain connected
with their loved ones and with theirbusinesses, while staying safe at home. Similarly,all
transaction charges on funds transfers throughUPaisa to UPaisa wallets and to
other banks have also been waived off during the current situation, thus
greatly facilitating users.

PTCL is the largest provider of connectivity in
Pakistan especially for banking and aviation sectors. Foreseeing a surge in
internet usage nationwide during the pandemic, PTCL immediately expanded its
submarine internet capacity significantly to ensure seamless connectivity, for
both retail and corporate customers. Moreover, the Group is proud of its
12,000+ frontline workers, who are ensuring country’s
connectivity and business continuityround the clock, even in the remote and far
flung areas of the country.

Similarly, on the relief side,through PTCL
Razakaar Trust, the employees of PTCL and Ufone have voluntarily donated part
of their salaries to help in the relief efforts. The contribution worth PKR 100
Million collected was given directly to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. PTCL is
providing support to Coronavirus affected families through its Razakaar Trust
in the shape of a package comprising of food items, medicines and preventive
gear in 25 cities across Pakistan. Along with that, the company will also
provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA) for frontline workers and sponsor hospital beds for Coronavirus patients.

PTCL Group has introduced various offers and
services to facilitate people during the pandemic. Both PTCL and Ufone are
providing free calls on CoronavirusHelplines includingUfone’s collaboration
with Pakistan Red Crescent’s toll-free Helpline 1030, where over 38,000 calls
have been answered and over 12,000 volunteers have registered from the country.
PTCL also raised public awareness on Coronavirusin collaboration with the
Government of Pakistan and International Rescue Committee (IRC).Similarly, U
Microfinance Bank is estimating to receive and honour requests for liquidity
relief for nearly 100,000 loan customers through the deferment of their loans.

To support the government during the pandemic, PTCL is also providing connectivity to hospitals, Rescue 1122, Federal & Provincial governments, along with Law Enforcement Agencies including Police, Sindh Rangers, Pakistan Coast Guards, amongst others.PTCL has also set up Call Center infrastructure related to Corona virus for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan governments. PTCL Group stands steadfast with the nation during this crisis while the safety, security and well-being of customers and all stakeholders remains its top priority